sussing out a used turbo.....

[martynx]

Seen 2 turbos lateley that have play in the vane wheel thingy yet they didnt smoke - i thought any play indicated lots of wear & worn seal therefore smoke..? the vehicles werent trannies but were a saab 9000 & a low mileage 05 sprinter..

Having a just bought what looks like a worn out one from ebay for a heavy smoking 2.4 i have , anyone have an opinion ?

The 2 2 litre FWD's i have here have no play, the vehicle that smokes has lots of play & the one i bought off ebay has lots of play ( looking at the outlet on compressor side the vaned wheel thingy moves side to side & in & out a bit ) .

[MrMPuk]

Play depends on what type of bearings are fitted in a turbo. Some brand new turbo's are ment to have end float because of the type of bearings fitted..

[martynx]

Its side movement im thinking of really..

[conrod]

turbos with the older style plain bearings generally have a bit of movement radially,as long as the compressor wheel cannot make contact with the compressor housing, but the shaft shouldn't have any end float (end to end) The newer ballbearing style will not have any significant float in either direction. You just have to determine which type you are looking at.

[martynx]

ball bearings on trannies ? sounds a bit luxurious..

I remember looking into "360 degree " ball bearing upgrades for my old fiat coupe - was supposed to be the nuts but was mega expensive..

Wil email Garrett anyway nest week & see what he says.. cheers Con..

[conrod]

"360 degree" just refers to the thrust bearing upgrade on a standard (270 degree) plain bearing turbo, they can handle higher boost pressure, a popular mod on Cossies. I am not sure if the Mk6 uses ball bearing turbos or not, I know the 135PS uses a variable vane turbo, which is a pretty high tech piece of kit, but still not sure if these ones are plain or ball bearing.

[martynx]

Hmm i see..

[alzee20]

while we on turbos.. most engines i know with a turbo have a turbo whistle whilst mine doesnt.. is this right or is my turbo not working as it should??!

[MrMPuk]

If you can hear a turbo then it's fooked!

[gardener68]

mines fooked then but it sounds

[martynx]

mine too !! on all my motor's . Theres nothing like a swish to take yor mind of the traffic

[MrMPuk]

That'll be air flow you can hear rather then turbo.

[conrod]

My Mk5 I just sold had a bit of a whistle from the exhaust when on boost, and my friends one has quite a noticable whistle, both turbos are fine. I think it is more a result of exhaust design/restriction that makes this noise.

[conrod]

My Mk5 I just sold had a bit of a whistle from the exhaust when on boost, and my friends one has quite a noticable whistle, both turbos are fine. I think it is more a result of exhaust design/restriction that makes this noise.

[alzee20]

hmm, i can definatley hear nothing from mine, if i had a whoosh or whistle, at leaset i'd know something was happening! lol